Click this icon to hear Sally In Our Alley if it does not automatically play.
Click this icon to hear The Country Lass, {or start the QuickTime player below}.
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This song is believed to have been written circa 1719. It was composed by Henry Carey.
According to Chappell's Popular Music Of The Olden Time, this song told the story of a shoemaker's apprentice who was 'on holiday' with his sweetheart.
In 1760 the tune composed by Mr. Carey was dropped, and the words were sung to the tune of an older song, The Country Lass. In that form, the song became popular in America.
Of all the girls that are so smart, There’s none like pretty Sally!
She is the darling of my heart, And she lives in our alley.
There’s ne’er a lady in the land that’s half so sweet as Sally.
She is the darling of my heart, And she lives in our alley.
Her father he makes cabbage-nets, And through the streets does cry 'em;
Her mother she sells laces long To such as please to buy 'em;
But sure such folks could ne'er beget So sweet a girl as Sally!
She is the darling of my heart, And she lives in our alley.
When she is by, I leave my work, I love her so sincerely;
My master comes like any Turk, And bangs me most severely:
But let him bang his bellyful, I'll bear it all for Sally;
She is the darling of my heart, And she lives in our alley.
Of all the days that's in a week I dearly love but one day:
And that's the day that comes betwixt A Saturday and Monday;
For then I'm drest all in my best To walk abroad with Sally;
She is the darling of my heart, And she lives in our alley.
My master carries me to church, And often am I blamed,
Because I leave him in the lurch As soon as text is named.
I leave the church in sermon-time And slink away to Sally;
She is the darling of my heart, And she lives in our alley.
When Christmas some about again, O, then I shall have money;
I'll hoard it up, and box it all, I'll give it to my honey:
I would it were ten thousand pound, I'd give it all to Sally;
She is the darling of my heart, And she lives in our alley.
My master and the neighbors all Make gave of me and Sally,
And, but for her, I'd better be A slave and row a galley;
But when my seven long years are out, O, then I'll marry Sally;
O, then we'll wed, and then we'll bed: But not in our alley.
Note: The midi file, titled Sally in Our Alley, that is linked to this page was sequenced by Lesley Nelson, whose website is located at: http://www.contemplator.com/intro.html
Note: The midi file, titled The Country Lass, that is linked to this page was sequenced by Elizabeth G. Melillo, PhD, whose website is located at: http://www.laurasmidiheaven.com
